Hardwood Lumber Houston 101: A Beginner-to-Pro Glossary of Terms
If you’re searching for Hardwood Lumber Houston, you’re likely serious about your craft, whether you’re a hobbyist, cabinetmaker, contractor, or designer. But sourcing the right lumber isn’t just about species and price; it also requires understanding the terminology that defines wood quality, grain orientation, drying processes, and more. This glossary of more than 50 essential terms will help you make informed decisions when buying hardwood lumber in Houston and ensure your next project starts with confidence.
Board Feet
A unit of measure representing a volume of 12″ × 12″ × 1″. Essential for estimating quantity and cost. Used throughout the hardwood industry to fairly price and compare lumber of different dimensions. You can calculate number of board feet for any board:
1) When all dimensions are in inches:
2) When thickness and width are in inches, and length is in feet:
Moisture Content
The percentage of water in wood. Ideal indoor hardwood is 6-8%. Improper moisture leads to warping or cracking. Moisture content is one of the most critical factors in determining whether wood is suitable for a project, especially in Houston’s humid climate.
Kiln
A heated chamber used to dry lumber. Kiln drying improves stability and prevents insect infestation. Kiln drying is preferred over air drying when precision, consistency, and structural stability are crucial.
Air-Dried
Lumber dried naturally over months. Less energy-intensive but less precise than kiln drying. Often used when working on rustic projects or when slight movement in the wood is tolerable.
Grain
The pattern created by the orientation of wood fibers. It affects both appearance and stability. Grain orientation impacts how wood absorbs stain, resists wear, and holds shape.
Vertical Grain
Growth rings run vertically; common in quarter sawn wood and prized for stability. It offers a uniform appearance and minimizes seasonal expansion and contraction.
Diagonal Grain
Occurs when wood is cut at an angle to the grain. It may be less stable or visually consistent. Sometimes used decoratively but can lead to unpredictable movement.
Horizontal Grain
Visible in flat-sawn lumber, often showing cathedral patterns. May be more prone to cupping. It offers dramatic visuals but requires attention to finishing and sealing.
End Grain
The grain visible when looking at a board’s cross-section. Often shows growth rings and is used in butcher blocks. It absorbs finish differently and is more prone to splitting.
Live Edge
The natural edge of the board is preserved. Popular in rustic and modern designs. Each piece is unique, celebrating the natural character of the tree.
Plain Sawn
The most common cut. Economical, with wider boards and cathedral grain patterns. However, it’s more prone to warping than rift or quarter sawn lumber.
Quarter Sawn
Logs are cut at right angles to growth rings. Produces straight grain and ray fleck in oak. Offers excellent stability and reduced seasonal movement.
Rift Sawn
Cut at consistent angles. Very straight grain; highly stable and expensive. Ideal for furniture where uniformity is key.
Rotary Cut
Logs are spun and peeled. Common in plywood veneer. Produces wide, wild grain patterns but not structurally strong.
Pith
The central core of the tree. Boards containing pith are more prone to splitting. It’s generally avoided in fine woodworking.
Warp
Any deviation from flatness in lumber: includes bowing, cupping, and twisting. A common defect due to improper drying or storage.
Cup
Warp across the board’s width, forming a concave/convex shape. Can ruin glue-ups or precision fits.
Bow
A longitudinal curve along the length of the board. Difficult to correct and can affect structural integrity.
Twist
A type of warp where the board spirals along its length, causing one corner of the board to be higher or lower than the opposite corner. Twist is caused by uneven drying, internal stresses, or growth conditions. It can make the board difficult to work with and can affect the final fit and finish of a project. Proper drying and careful selection can help minimize twist.
Kerf
The width of material removed by a saw blade. Affects measurement and yield. Must be accounted for in precision cuts.
Lumber Grades
Classification based on defect-free areas. Common hardwood grades include FAS, Select, #1C, and #2C. Determines price and application suitability.
Veneer
Thin sheets of wood (1/32″ to 1/16″) used as a decorative surface. Used to stretch rare species and create decorative surfaces affordably.
Dado
A slot or trench across the grain. Used for joinery in cabinetry and shelving. Adds strength by creating a mechanical bond.
Sapwood
Lighter, outer growth rings. Less decay-resistant than heartwood. Sometimes preferred for its contrast or light color.
Heartwood
The darker, older central wood. Denser and more decay-resistant. Typically stronger and more dimensionally stable.
Figure
The visual pattern in the grain caused by natural distortions. Can greatly increase the value of the wood for aesthetic uses.
Curly
A figure where the grain appears wavy. Common in maple and mahogany. Adds depth and shimmer when finished.
Quilt
A rare figure with pillowy ripples. Found in maple and koa. Often used for high-end furniture and guitars.
Spalted
Wood colored by fungi. Common in maple. Valued for its unique appearance, but care must be taken due to its fragility.
Fiddleback
A tight curl figure used in musical instruments. Found in maple and sycamore. Coveted for its optical depth.
Flame
A figure that looks like flames or stripes, often seen in maple. Similar to curly but more dramatic.
Crotch
The swirling figure at the junction of tree limbs. Visually dramatic. Often used for veneered panels.
Ray Fleck
Shimmering specks seen in quarter sawn oak, caused by medullary rays. A signature of craftsmanship in Mission-style furniture.
Checks
Small splits on the surface due to uneven drying. May be filled if shallow but reduce grading.
Shake
A separation along growth rings, weakening the wood. Often a result of internal tree stress.
Wane
A missing edge, often due to bark. May lower grade but not always structural.
Snipe
A shallow depression at the ends from planing. Usually trimmed off but affects yield.
Surfaced Lumber (S2S, S3S, S4S)
Refers to how many sides have been planed:
- S2S: surfaced 2 sides
- S3S: 2 sides + 1 edge
- S4S: all sides surfaced, commonly selected by those without the necessary milling tools or to save time on their projects. Simplifies preparation and reduces shop time.
Rough Cut
Unplaned wood, full thickness. Offers flexibility for custom milling. Preferred when maximum material is needed.
Quarter Thickness (4/4, 6/4, 8/4)
A rough lumber measurement. These fractions refer to quarters of an inch. Used by hardwood suppliers to communicate thickness efficiently.
- 4/4: 1″ thick
- 6/4: 1.5″ thick
- 8/4: 2″ thick
Jointing
The process of flattening one face and squaring one edge. Ensures accuracy in milling and proper glue-ups.
Milling
Preparing rough lumber (jointing, planing, cutting) to final dimensions. Precision milling is essential for quality builds. At Houston Hardwoods, we operate our own milling equipment on site and would be happy to mill our lumber to the exact sizes you need.
Nominal vs. Actual Size
Dimensional lumber sizes are smaller than named, this can be important to know if you’re designing plans and ordering lumber. For example, 1×2 lumber isn’t actually 1″ thick by 2″ wide, it is truly 3/4″ thick by 1-1/2″ wide. Why is it like this? The board is first cut to be 1″ thick by 2″ wide rough, but after drying and planing, it measures ~3/4″ thick and 1-1/2″ wide.
- 1×2 → ¾″ × 1½″
- 1×4 → ¾″ × 3½″
- 1×6 → ¾″ × 5½″
- 1×8 → ¾″ × 7¼″
- 1×10 → ¾″ × 9¼″
- 1×12 → ¾″ × 11¼″
- 2×2 → 1½″ × 1½″
- 2×4 → 1½″ × 3½″
- 2×6 → 1½″ × 5½″
- 2×8 → 1½″ × 7¼″
- 2×10 → 1½″ × 9¼″
- 2×12 → 1½″ × 11¼″
Seasoning
The drying process that reduces moisture content and improves stability. Essential for preventing future movement.
Resawing
Cutting thick boards into thinner ones. Used for bookmatching or veneers. Allows for creative grain matching and efficient use.
Bookmatching
Opening two boards like a book to mirror grain patterns. Used for aesthetic panels and tabletops.
Sticker Stains
Marks left by drying spacers (stickers) if not properly placed. Can discolor finished pieces.
Case Hardening
Outer wood dries too fast, trapping moisture inside. Causes internal stress. Can lead to cupping or cracking.
Reaction Wood
Wood formed under stress (e.g., leaning tree). Can move unpredictably when cut. Often avoided in structural applications.
Blue Stain
Fungal discoloration, mostly in softwoods. Cosmetic only, but may affect grade.
Checks vs. Splits
Checks are surface cracks; splits go through the entire board. Important distinction for strength and usability.
Defect
Any flaw (knot, warp, crack) that lowers grade or utility. Some defects, like knots, are decorative in rustic styles.
Exotic Wood
Rare species not native to North America. Includes padauk, bubinga, zebrawood. Known for vibrant colors, density, and unique grain. Often used in fine furniture, instruments, and accents.
Hardness (Janka Scale)
Measures resistance to denting. Important for flooring and furniture. Higher numbers mean more durability.
Tannins
Natural chemicals in wood (e.g., oak) that can react with metal fasteners. May cause staining if not sealed properly.
Grain Direction
The direction wood fibers run. Cutting with the grain results in smoother surfaces and fewer tear-outs. Crucial for planing and sanding.
Final Thoughts
Understanding these lumber terms is key to buying and working with hardwood lumber with confidence. Whether you’re sourcing rough exotic slabs or selecting clear, quarter-sawn oak, this knowledge ensures better results, fewer mistakes, and higher-quality craftsmanship.
Need help selecting the right materials? Visit our lumberyard or call today, our team of wood experts is here to help you succeed in your next project. You can also check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn even more!